2008 Diplomáticos No. 2

[MaytagMan]

Diplomáticos No. 2

(Click on the cigar name above to link to and listen to the complete Cigar Snapshot Podcast Episode)

Size: 6-1/8 x 52

Vitola: Pirámides

Wrapper: Cuba

Binder: Cuba

Filler: Cuba

Production Date: March 2008

About:

The Diplomáticos brand started production in1966 as a lower cost alternative to the Montecristo brand for the French market. In the original release, Diplomáticos were released in five sizes, called No.1, No.2, No.3, No. 4, and No. 5. These sizes corresponded to the Montecristo Numbers 1-5 sizes. In 1976 there was a No. 6 and No. 7 were released that were the same as the Montecristo Especial No. 1 and No. 2.

I double checked my information on cubancigarwebsite.com. and with the recent 2010 deletions to the Habanos SA catalog, the Diplomáticos No. 2 is the only size still in current production.

According to the Illustrated Encyclopedia of Post-Revolution Havana Cigars, the Diplomáticos No. 2 tastes like a milder version of a Montecristo No. 2, and refers to Diplomáticos version as “arguably the mildest Torpedo in production” (p. 121)

Pre-light:

The wrapper was very light, almost to the point of having the appearance of a Connecticut Shade Wrapper. The wrapper was slightly rough in appearance, and there were a few small bumps underneath the surface of the wrapper. The cigar had a slight box press from being packed in a dress box since 2008.

AROMA: There was a very pleasant dry-wood aroma that was made up of both cedar and hardwood notes in the mix. The foot exhibited a slightly more concentrated woody aroma with the addition of spice and manure as well.

TASTE: The prelight taste was mainly refreshing straight tobacco flavors along with some clove-like spice hints in the background.

1/3:

The cigar started off with a relatively mild profile with some very creamy notes. There were some strong hay flavors in the background, along with what I would best describe as a slight astringent quality at the very front of my palate. The draw was absolutely perfect, and the cigar produced nice, thick volumes of smoke. The ash was light to medium gray, and very solid.

2/3:

The hay flavors I found in the first third evolved into a grassiness. There was a slight spiciness at the forefront of the profile, but it was very subtle. I also managed to detect what I would best describe as hints of well done (though not burned) toast. As the second third progressed I got some peppercorn flavors in the retrohale. I am not talking about the spiciness of black pepper, but rather the actual peppercorn aroma and taste.

3/3:

A spicy component began to emerge in the final third and intensified. This moved the grassy flavors into the background, along with most of other flavors. This spicy characteristic was not overpowering in any way, it seemed like a natural direction for the flavor profile of the cigar to progress.

The cigar did soften a little bit as the final third progresses, but it did not have an ill effect on the smokeability or the construction of the cigar at all.

Thanks for reading / listening!

[thechenman]

Nice review. Thanks for posting.

Is it just me, or does anyone else out there find that the Diplomaticos No. 2 is stronger, not milder than a Montecristo No. 2? I've smoked many of each, and by far, have found the Diplomaticos to be stronger and not quite as nuanced as the Montecristo.

Just wondering...

[cigaraholic]

I think you get a much wider flavor profile from the Diplomaticos #2 than the Monte #2.

Some boxes are milder than the Monte and some will blow them out of the water.

Great Montes have a beautiful cocoa flavor, when the Dips are on they're dark chocolate and for me bigger than a Monte.

[brazoseagle]

I want to try these.

[kmagurk]

most I've had , which is only a handful , were very good and for the most part a tad milder than the monte #2 . but like I said i've only had a handful as compared to monte's

[hoser]

Been a long time since I had a Diplomatico #2. LOVED it when I had one. Maybe try again someday soon!

[marleydog]

Nice review. Thanks for posting.

Is it just me, or does anyone else out there find that the Diplomaticos No. 2 is stronger, not milder than a Montecristo No. 2? I've smoked many of each, and by far, have found the Diplomaticos to be stronger and not quite as nuanced as the Montecristo.

Just wondering...

Its Been a few years since I have smoked the Diplo #2, but I also felt they were stronger than the Montecristo #2. You are not totally alone.

[mkirk76]

Love the Dip #2!

[#2 man]

Great review !!Think I'll pull one out for saturday

[mk05]

Monte #2s, the pre-00s, were very rich, and extremely oily. When you smoked a M2, you knew it - it didn't really taste like smoke. You'd feel all that heavy, silky oil in your mouth (no homo) and the Nutella flavor that stays with you for hours, and it would put you on your ass. What I've had recently is a joke compared to the past (Personally, I've tried '04, '07, '08 EMS, and they just don't have character...you don't get that "hold on...this is special" feeling). Apparently the newer batches of M2s are good.

As for the reviewer, how fast did you smoke this cigar? It sounds as if the smoke turned acrid on you. The M2 should not smell/taste like peppercorns - perhaps a light caramel that turns into cashew if drawn quickly, but I have never encountered peppercorns. That sounds like a Partagas! (Not trying to sound like a jackass, I'm actually serious) For comparison, I'll take between 90min to 150 minutes depending on situations.

I've heard you get sweetness from these new M2s. I feel like I used to get those from Dip2s.